Giving the gift of Christmas kindness - Connecting Ripon
Christmas is a time of giving. Supporting local charities who care, provide homes and food, learning and friendship for people in need is a way of spreading hope and joy that’s traditionally at the heart of Christmas.
Many charities are facing cuts to funding at the same time as the need for their services is increasing. Even a small act, contribution or kind word can make a massive difference as charity teams quietly provide the support people need to help them get by.
You can show your support by donating to Ripon Salvation Army’s Christmas Toy Appeal for those who may have little or nothing to open on Christmas Day. The Salvation Army also welcome donations of food, as does Ripon Community House.
Special and unique gifts and cards can be bought from local charities including Ripon Walled Garden. You can also buy your Christmas tree and wreath, visit Santa’s Grotto, enjoy lunch, good coffee and delicious cake with friends at the Walled Garden. The team will collect your tree in January too – supporting people with learning disabilities and the planet! Visit riponcommunitylink.org for details and dates.
A few more dates to pop in your diary when you can support local charities and volunteers are Ripon Community House Christmas Fair on 17th November and, in December, Jennyruth Workshops Christmas Fair on 3rd, Henshaws Carols by Candlelight in the Cathedral on 6th and the Illuminated Winter Wonderland in Spa Gardens on 13th to 15th.
Visiting one of our local charity shops to choose a pre-loved gift means you are supporting a good cause and our environment.
Playing the Local Lotto for the Harrogate District is a fun way to support a cause that matters to you, with over 100 local community organisations signed up, and you could be a winner! When you play the Local Lotto 60% of your ticket price goes to good causes (more than double what the National Lottery gives) and the money raised is going to good causes that benefit your local community.
If you can’t decide which cause to support, you can choose the local fund which provides vital support to a wide range of local projects which have a beneficial impact on our communities. You can buy Gift Vouchers starting from just £5 giving the gift of giving to local good causes and providing a bit of fun! Players of the lotto must be 18 years and over.
Other ways to show your love are to donate to a cause you care about when online shopping with sites such as Give as you Live or easyfundraising; support local charity and community events; like and share charity social media posts; and join in Christmas raffles, which often have amazing prizes!
Help spread joy this festive season and give people hope for a positive future. Visit https://hadca.org.uk/news for more Christmas Kindness ideas to support charities and residents across Harrogate district, now and all year round.